52 Films Update
Greetings all!
Last week I decided to take the 52 Films by Women pledge where I aim to see a film directed (or written) by a woman every week. In the spirit of this oral history project, I'm going to talk about the films I've seen in brief.
1. What Happened, Nina Simone? by LIz Garbus is a documentary about Nina Simone. I've been a fan of hers for years (Sinnerman is one my favorite songs) but I didn't know about her life. Fascinating life of this amazing, troubled singer.
2. Hidden Figures is based on a book by Margot Lee Shetterly about African American women who were the computers for the NASA space program. While the book is nonfiction and the movie is fictional, it's a really powerful movie about these intelligent women who made the American space program happen during segregation. It shows the injustices that these women faced to do their work. A great inspiring movie.
3. 13TH by Ava DuVernay is a documentary about the mass incarceration industrial complex and race. A very sobering film about how the system is another iteration of Jim Crow and slavery. A must see. This film does not pull punches so be prepared for some graphic content.
I'll keep posting about the films I see throughout the year.
Other news:
Not Just Another Pretty Face is on view at the Hyde Park Art Center until February 8th. Maria Gaspar and Joyce Owens, both incredible artists who participated in the project, have work on display. It's worth checking out.
Find out more here: http://www.hydeparkart.org/exhibitions/emnot-just-another-pretty-faceem--3
Here's a Chicago Tribune article about it: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-pretty-face-hyde-park-art-center-ent-0112-20170111-column.html
Don't forget to check out Artists Against Hate: Inauguration Protest Show this Friday at Uptown Underground led by the amazing Dawn Xiana Moon. See amazing performers and win prizes. All proceeds will be donated to ACLU. Check out more info here: http://artistsagainsthate.org/